Harappan Civilization is well known for highly sophisticated urban society, having been flourished in extensive regions of northwestern part of Pakistan and northeastern part of Afghanistan as its heyday around 4500 years ago. Most archaeologists agree on the periodization of this civilization as three different phases (Early, Mature and Late), which represent its cultural process of origin, development and decline. From the Harappan sites, one can note that there were about more than fifty burial sites discovered so far related with the civilization. In this article, we are trying to introduce the brief picture of the Harappan burials from the archaeological as well as anthropological perspectives.
Afghanistan ; Anthropology ; Archaeology ; Burial* ; Civilization* ; Humans ; India* ; Pakistan

Skeletal remains collected from the archaeological fields must be maintained carefully, for being used in scientific studies on the physical characteristics, health status, and pathological disease of the ancient or medieval human populations. Even if Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection might be a good example for such studies, few of bone collections predated the Joseon Age (e.g. Goryeo Dynasty) have been established until now, possibly owing to poor preservation condition of archaeological sites in Korea. In this study, we performed anthropological studies on a few cases of Goryeo skeletons, which have been rarely reported by anthropologists in Korea. Judging from the preservation status of bones found in various types of Goryeo graves (e.g. earthen- or stone-chambered tombs), many cases seem to be cremated in accordance with Buddhist funeral rites. Goryeo bone collections must be constructed with the bones identified in the earthen tombs, which were preserved much perfectly than those of any other types of Goryeo tombs.
Anthropology, Physical ; Archaeology ; Funeral Rites ; Humans ; Korea ; Skeleton

Ancient DNA analyses are widely used for evolutionary and phylogenetic study of mankind in anthropology and archeology. However, the DNA extraction from particularly poorly preserved ancient human samples is often unsuccessful in these analyses. In the present study, to improve the success rate of ancient DNA analysis, we introduced a high grade ancient DNA purification method using ion-exchange columns. We compared the success rate of ancient DNA analysis of this new method with that of the two methods that have been used for ancient DNA extraction, GENECLEAN(R) kit (Qbiogene) and Qiaquick column (Qiagen). Twelve ancient bone samples from Korea and Mongolia that are about 500 to 5,000 years old by an archeological estimation were used. As the DNA analysis methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for the amplification of a mitochondrial DNA HV1 segment, a male sex determination marker DNA and M175 marker DNA that is used for the determination of O haplogroup of Y chromosome that is reportedly a common one in modern Korean people. The method developed in this study remarkably increased the success rate of DNA analysis compared with the other two methods. Using the GENECLEAN(R) kit, only two samples were amplifiable for the mitochondrial DNA, no samples for the male sex determination marker and M175 marker DNAs. Using the Qiaquick columns, nine samples were amplifiable for mitochondirial DNA, nine samples for male sex determination marker and six samples for M175 marker. The developed method allowed for the amplification of mitochondrial DNA from all samples, male sex determination marker from eight samples and M175 marker from eight samples. The results demonstrate that ion-exchange columns can be useful for the improved ancient DNA extraction in anthropology and archeology.
Anthropology ; Archaeology ; DNA* ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mongolia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Y Chromosome

Determination of male and female is important in anthropology, archeology and forensic science. This study was designed to compare genotype sex of improved amelogenin PCR amplication method with morphological sex of ancient human bones. Sixty human skulls which lived from the Bronze Age to twenties centuries and excavated in Uzbekistan were used in this study. Morphological sex was determined by Uzbekistan scientist, and genotype sex was determined by improved amelogenin PCR amplication developed in this study. Among 20 morphological males, 13 samples (65%) were genotypical male. Among 40 morphological females, 20 samples (50%) were genotypical male. In conclusion, morphological method might be inadequate for sex determination of ancient bones. The improved amelogenin PCR method will be useful in sex determination of ancient bones.
Amelogenin* ; Anthropology ; Archaeology ; Female ; Forensic Sciences ; Genotype* ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Skull ; Uzbekistan*

Teeth play an important role in mastication and phonation as well as in esthetics. Since metric and non-metric characteristics of teeth can be used in anthropological comparison, archeology and identification, they are very important in physical anthropology, archeology and forensic odontology. However, this subject has rarely been studied in Koreans and therefore data on the anthropological characteristics are scarce. Researchers have measured 5 factors on each tooth and 9 non-metric characteristics of 1085 teeth collected from Gaya, Korea and Chosun people and 1397 teeth collected from the present Koreans (both female and male). Metric and non-metric traits of the teeth were compared in past and present Koreans. Comparing the measurement of the teeth in past and present Koreans, no difference in the faciolingual diameter was seen while slight difference was seen in the mesiodistal diameter of past and present Koreans. Non-metric traits of Koreans showed that 96.4% of past Koreans and 94.2% of present Koreans had shoveling in the maxillary central incisior while 93.1% of past Koreans and 90.6% of present Koreans had shoveling in the maxillary lateral incisor. Therefore shoveling was present in a higher rate in the past Koreans. The result on the comparison of the lingual cusp number on mandibular second premolars, showed that while past Koreans had 1 (48.0%) or 2 (52.0%) lingual cusps, present Koreans had 1 (52.3%), 2 (46.7%) or 3 (1.0%) lingual cusps. The Terra's tubercle was seen on the mesial surface in 53.7% of maxillary first premolar in the present Koreans and 48.7% of maxillary second premolar showed no tubercle. Meanwhile, past Koreans showed a higher rate of Terra's tubercle than present Koreans. Frequence of Carabelli's tubercle in the maxillary first molar was 18.4% in past Koreans and 36.2% in present Koreans. The most common form of occlusal groove pattern in the maxillary first molar was '4' (94.3% in past Koreans, 94.3% in present Koreans) and in the maxillary second molar was '4-' (40.5% in past Koreans, 76.5% in present Koreans). In both the past and present Koreans, The 'Y5' pattern of occlusal groove pattern was most common in the mandibular first molar and '+4' pattern in the mandibular second molar.
Anthropology, Physical ; Archaeology ; Bicuspid ; Esthetics ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; Korea ; Mastication ; Molar ; Phonation ; Tooth*

In a paleo-parasitological analysis of soil samples obtained from V-shaped pits dating to the ancient Baekje period in Korean history, we discovered Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Clonorchis sinensis eggs. In light of the samples' seriously contaminated state, the V-shaped pits might have served as toilets, cesspits, or dung heaps. For a long period of time, researchers scouring archaeological sites in Korea have had difficulties locating such structures. In this context then, the present report is unique because similar kind of the ancient ruins must become an ideal resource for successful sampling in our forthcoming paleoparasitological studies.
Animals ; *Archaeology ; Helminths/classification/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Ovum/*classification ; Parasitology ; Republic of Korea ; *Sanitary Engineering ; Soil/*parasitology

Paleopathologists have begun exploring the pathoecology of parasitic diseases in relation to diet and environment. We are summarizing the parasitological findings from a mummy in the site of Lapa do Boquete, a Brazilian cave in the state of Minas Gerais. These findings in context of the archaeology of the site provided insights into the pathoecology of disease transmission in cave and rockshelter environments. We are presenting a description of the site followed by the evidence of hookworm, intestinal fluke, and Trypanosoma infection with resulting Chagas disease in the mummy discovered in the cave. These findings are used to reconstruct the transmission ecology of the site.
Ancylostomatoidea ; Archaeology ; Brazil* ; Chagas Disease ; Diet ; Echinostoma ; Ecology ; Mummies* ; Parasites* ; Parasitic Diseases ; Trematoda ; Trypanosoma

GyeongGi Cultural Foundation was requested the identification of eight excavated human skeletons from Neunggok residential development district within Siheung-si. Those were measured for distinguishing sex, stature, and age at death using metric and non-metric methods. The identification of eight human remains was not easy because the excavated bones were destroyed partly and totally. Six skeletons were excavated from the limed-soiled mixture tomb; five remains among 8 were buried in same grave and 2 skeletons were excavated from the earthen tomb. Four remains were determined female skeletons. One skeleton was assumed adolescence, three skeletons were estimated 40's~50's years old and others couldn't be done. Four among eight remain skeletons, the stature of female remains was around 150~157 cm and male's stature was around 165 cm. Most bones were damaged and destroyed, and the remaining teeth on the maxilla and mandible were not enough for identification. We couldn't identify through metric and non-metric methods. If the human skeletal remains were not found with artifact, those couldn't determine the period. So we couldn't know the relationship between the period of burial and condition of bones. For this reason, we will study the identification using the small and damaged bones. Anthropologists and archeaologists need to work together to make database to determine identification and period.
Adolescent ; Anthropology, Physical ; Archaeology ; Artifacts ; Burial ; Female ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Skeleton ; Tooth

OBJECTIVETo study the ancient teeth helped us to acquaint with the evolution of oral diseases.

METHODSTeeth and jaws excavated in Erlitou, Henan province and Youyao, Shanxi province were observed clinically with care. The total specimens included 56 individuals (38 males and 18 females, including 894 permanent teeth and 86 dental arches). The dental caries were observed. The incidence of dental caries was calculated.

RESULTSThe rate of dental caries was 6.9% in 894 observed teeth. The prevalence was 39% among individuals.

CONCLUSIONSThe rate of dental caries in ancient Chinese in Xia Dynasty was lower than that in modem people. There were more caries in elderly people while no sex difference was found in Chinese in Xia Dynasty, which was similar to the situation in modern society. Cervical caries was more common than occlusal caries. The second molars and the third molars were frequently involved, which was different from the phenomenon nowadays.

Adult ; Archaeology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dental Caries ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo investigate the status of dental caries in the human of Tang dynasty.

METHODSAll teeth in 62 human skulls of Tang dynasty excavated from the Chang'an county in Xi'an city were examined and analyzed by statistics. The difference of prevalence in different group including age, sex and tooth position was tested with Chi-square test.

RESULTSThe prevalence of dental caries was 62.9%. And there were 92 caries teeth, which was 14.6% of the whole teeth. The root caries (33.3%) was more than the occlusal caries (28.7%). The most frequent recorded caries were the third molar, followed by the second molar, then the first molar. There was no significant difference between male and female.

CONCLUSIONSThe dental caries was popular in human of Tang dynasty, but the prevalence lowers than the modern people. And with the human evolution and the improvement of the social productivity, the prevalence of dental caries was gradually ascending.

Adult ; Archaeology ; China ; epidemiology ; DMF Index ; Dental Caries ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence